Mercy Warehouse brings food to Laguna Niguel hungry

Canned food sits in the pantry at the Mercy Warehouse in Laguna Niguel. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Canned food sits in the pantry at Mercy Warehouse in Laguna Niguel. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Dillon Lund, 15, of Laguna Hills, sorts through large boxes of canned food in the pantry in Mercy Warehouse on his second day volunteering on July 16. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Mercy Warehouse is 26,000 square feet of warehouse space devoted to food, furniture, clothes, books and other items for those in need, located in Laguna Niguel and run by Dave and Julie Davis. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Julian Romero, 6, of Laguna Niguel, searches for a new toy at the Mercy Warehouse in Laguna Niguel on July 16. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Women load up their carts with food inside Mercy Warehouse on July 16. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Women look through the shelves in the large cooler for refrigerated items in Mercy Warehouse in Laguna Niguel on July 16. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Stuffed animals are sold by the pound at Mercy Warehouse in Laguna Niguel. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Dave Davis, the Director of Mercy Warehouse, stands over a large box of donated shoes inside the warehouse in Laguna Niguel on July 16. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The furniture room displays a large amount of couches, chairs, tables, etc. that are for sale at low prices inside Mercy Warehouse. The money that is made is used to buy food to give away to those in need. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Mercy Warehouse sells non-name-brand, as well as designer clothing, for low prices. The money that is made is used to buy food to give away to those in need. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Dave Davis, the director of Mercy Warehouse on July 16. "We take what God gives us and turn it into cash. Then we buy food with that cash and give it away. What a great job!" DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Canned food sits in the pantry at the Mercy Warehouse in Laguna Niguel. DAN KRAUSS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LAGUNA NIGUEL – The average household in Laguna Niguel makes $98,000 a year, according to a 2008 U.S Census Bureau report. But the city's pristine landscapes and luxury cars belie a growing population of needy residents, said Mercy Warehouse Director Dave Davis.

When he got his hands on 26,000 square feet of warehouse space in Laguna Niguel, Davis knew just what to do.

The Australian native had already set up five food and goods storage shelters in his home country.

Mercy Warehouse does just that, using the space owned by the Vineyard Community Church to store tons of food that's fresh or frozen, canned or boxed. Most of it comes from local supermarkets.

See our slide show to the left to find out what's available at the Mercy Warehouse.

Those in need can show up every Wednesday and Friday to sign up from noon to 1 p.m. The food is given away from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on those days, and Davis says 700 to 1,000 pounds of food are donated each week.

Some of that goes directly to the hungry, while what's left is given to various food pantries around town.

Davis said hunger is affecting different demographics as the Great Recession emerges into what many economists have described as a jobless recovery.

"What we're seeing more and more of here is the average American, U.S. citizen who has had a very successful business," the director said. "They might drive a Lexus and they might have a very nice home in Ladera Ranch, but they don't have the food to feed the kids. It takes a big gulp of pride to be swallowed to come in here and say we need food for the kids."

People come from all over the southland to take advantage of the food program, Davis said. He said people have come as far as Los Angeles and Lancaster.

But with a large facility and a full-time director, the warehouse has to bring in money. That's where the thrift and antique stores inside the warehouse come into play, Davis says.

Those who receive the donated food can also pick up clothes, furniture and other household items at low prices. A variety of antiques, many from estate donations, are also sold at Mercy Warehouse.

The warehouse also needs volunteers to sort through the loads of donated food and goods. Davis said they have more than they can sort through at the moment.

And there's a sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to raise money for the warehouse at 27632 El Lazo, behind the Vineyard church.

The warehouse accepts donations of furniture, household goods and clothing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Learn more at tinyurl.com/mercywarehouse or by calling 949-425-3787, Ext. 148.

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